Nicki Minaj adds North American stops onto international trek

Pop/hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj has added a North American run to her worldwide tour in support of her recently released sophomore set, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded."

The Trinidad-born songstress will first venture through parts of Australia and Japan later this month before canvassing Europe through mid-July. The North American leg gets underway July 16 in Chicago and hits 13 major markets from coast to coast through an Aug. 12 performance in Vancouver.

Tickets for the North American portion go on sale beginning May 4 via Ticketmaster and Live Nation. VIP packages, including meet-and-greet passes and an exclusive lithograph, are available for most performances via the performer's website.

Minaj unveiled her second full-length album, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded," last month. The 19-track set, which follows 2010's "Pink Friday," topped The Billboard 200, as well as the magazine's Top Rap Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.

Minaj is currently at work recording the video for her latest single, "Right By My Side," according to a press release. The "Starships" video is currently streaming at the hip-hop star's website.